The Happiness Project

I am reading what might be one of my favorite books ever. The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin is a remarkable book.

I love the full title: The Happiness Project Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun.

Now, why am I reading this book…

I’d heard about this during last year’s Making Things Happen tour. Someone mentioned that the book had a lasting affect on them. And well, who doesn’t want to be happier. I always want to be more organized, a better cook, a more “present” person, etc etc etc but I haven’t really thought about being happier in general.

But sometimes I take all of that for granted and I complain. I throw in the towel and get frustrated that I have to manage Brady and work all at once. I get annoyed with Bryan because he leaves his shoes scattered across the living room every night after his run. I sigh at my full inbox.

And I don’t want to. I know, in my gut, how blessed I am. I just want to know it every minute of the day. I want to feel that genuine gratitude as much as possible and teach Brady the same. I want to love, give, serve more.

So I am reading The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin was a clerk for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized her life’s purpose was to be a writer. She decided to take a year of her life and devote it to The Happiness Project – a quest to be happier and more “present” every day.

I’m starting Chapter 3 and it’s already made an impact on my everyday. Chapter 1 focuses on clearing clutter and ridding your home and workspace of excess. I do a pretty good job of this generally, so I whizzed through this section. (I get great satisfaction out of prancing through my house with a big black trash bag gathering things to give away. Its bizarre). Chapter 2 focuses on marriage. It reminds me a lot of the book Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs. You should check that one out too. (Thanks G)

One of my favorite parts from Chapter 2 is Gretchen’s goal to be ridiculously nice to her husband for an entire week: no nagging, no frustration, only love, hugs, admonishment, compliments, etc. She had to be nice even when she really didn’t want to. Now, of course, she didn’t tell him that she was doing this – but it underscored her idea that (and I love this SO MUCH – I need to eat these words)

ACT THE WAY YOU WANT TO FEEL.

When she acted more loving and caring towards her husband, she found that she felt a lot more tenderness towards him. I love this so much. I may or may not be trying this with Bryan right now : )

More updates as I get through this book. It really is worth checking out.